World Cup

Major sponsors want Sepp Blatter, who is being investigated for corruption, to step down immediately. He has said he'll leave the job in 2016.

In the latest scandal to hit the world soccer governing body, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke has been put on leave amid allegations of a plot to profit personally from ticket sales.

In the first five minutes, Carli Lloyd scored two swift goals. Lauren Holiday brought the score up to 3, and then Lloyd scored from midfield for a hat trick. The team led 4-0 after just 15 minutes.

The U.S. hasn't given up a goal since its opener against Australia — a stunning scoreless streak of 513 minutes. Now the team meets Japan for a hotly anticipated rematch of the last World Cup final.

There were a number of hero narratives around Tuesday night's takedown, which gives the U.S. a place in the Women's World Cup final in Vancouver on Sunday.

In a battle between a fantastic attack and a fantastic defense, the latter prevailed, as two penalty kicks — one made, one whiffed — and a late insurance goal gave the U.S. the win.

The win sets up a No. 2 vs. No. 1 matchup when the Americans will face Germany on Tuesday, as the U.S. continues its pursuit of its first World Cup title since 1999.

The victory, thanks to a goal by Abby Wambach, eases the Americans' path toward the World Cup, while the Nigerians were eliminated by the loss.

The Americans had hoped for more against their trash-talking former coach, who now leads the Swedes, but Friday night's tie in Winnipeg still leaves them atop their group.